Use of face mask during running practice in the COVID-19 pandemic

point of view of amateur runners in Canoinhas/SC

Abstract

The present study aims to verify the point of view of amateur runners in the municipality of Canoinhas/SC, on the use of face masks during the practice of running in the COVID-19 pandemic. The present cross-sectional study was carried out through a questionnaire with 8 questions in an opinion poll format. Ninety runners from the city of Canoinhas/SC participated in the present study, aged between 18 and 59 years. Data were tabulated in an Excel® spreadsheet and analyzed using BioEstat 5.0 software. Descriptive analysis of absolute and relative frequencies was used. For categorical variables, Pearson's X² test was used. The significance level adopted was 5%. It was possible to observe that a significant number of athletes responded that they think it is necessary to use a face mask during the practice of running, despite not using it during the race, as they believe that the use of the mask interferes with performance; that sweat makes breathing difficult; and that harms health. They also reported that no mask appears to be the best against the virus and that the use of this utensil during the practice of the race is unsafe to avoid the contagion of Covid-19, and highlighted that they may participate in the race events and the use is mandatory, of face mask.

Keywords: Race; Coronavirus; Mask.